Our essential guide to Christmas in Chiang Mai 2024

Dine on delectable Christmas lunch and dinner menus at the Duangtawan hotel. For Christmas Eve dinner, celebrate with an international buffet with a seasonal twist, the stars of the show being roasted stuffed turkey, christmas puddings and accompanying carol singers and Santa appearance. Or forget cooking and visit on Christmas Day itself, with both a festive brunch and Christmas night dinner lined up. Dec 24-25. B690-999 depending on the meal. Duangtawan Hotel Chiang Mai.

This beloved riverside hotel invites guests to celebrate the magic of the festive season and indulge in a symphony of flavors curated especially for Christmas. Their festive season menu is packed with classic flavours and exciting fusion twists, spanning a number of buffet dinners that are elevated by Christmas carols, live music and a big load of secret Santa surprises for the little ones. At Favola, their other restaurant popular among locals, you’ll find an additional Christmas Brunch Menu for lighter, daytime bites. Dec 24-25. B1,890-B2,300 depending on the meal. The Ping Cuisine and Bar and Favola, Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel. 6pm-10pm. 

Forget home cooking and enjoy the epicurean feasts of Chef Guillaume’s magnificent Christmas eve and day menus. From Christmas Eve buffets to Christmas Day lunch and dinner options, there’s no excuse to squeeze in just one more meal for the festive season. Expect traditional favourites alongside fine French pâtés and the Christmas charcuterie boards, salmon, ribs, beef wellingtons and barbequed seafood. If you go, be sure to save space in your legs for Chef Peter’s exciting dessert selection and tasty gifts from Santa Claus. Dec 24-25. B2,998 per adult, B1,494 per child under 12. Shangri-La Chiang Mai. 11.30am and 6pm. 

Ignoring the tropical heat, step into a rustic woodland scene that gives Christmas. Their Christmas Eve dinner is perfect for family and friends, with heartwarming farm-to-table dishes and live music by the visiting Igor Butman Quartet. There’s also a choir performance and Santa gifts galore. What’s even better, enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine when you book for two. Where better to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Dec 24. B3,700 per adult B1,850 per child over six. Mira Restaurant & River Lawn, RatiLanna Chiang Mai. 6pm.

Indulge in a very special four-course Christmas Menu at La Friandise, including duck and foie gras pâté en croûte with red onion and raisin chutney, sea trout mi-cuit with clams, herbs, and beurre blanc, beef tenderloin Wellington with mushroom duxelles and red wine jus and mango strawberry pavlova. Do Christmas with a French Mediterranean feel this year, with two options: Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch. Dec 24-25. B1,900 per person. La Friandise. 

If French isn’t your thing, then how about Swiss! This pun-filled dinner of “Swiss Mas” delights is packed with all the festive food you can expect as well as a generous spread of Swiss classics such as traditional turkey, Australian beef, honey ham, pork spare ribs, cold cuts and cheese platters with all the pickles and condiments. The buffet dinner is accompanied by carol singing and a live band to really set the mood. Each meal comes with free-flow soft drinks. Dec 24. B1,290 per person. Fueng Fah Restaurant, Mövenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai. 6pm.

A more budget friendly option, Gekko Garden Pub is serving up unlimited classic Christmas grub for just B550. Always a sell-out event, book your place quickly and come wearing loose trousers – it’s an eat-till-you-burst type of event! Under 12s eat half price and under 8s eat free. Bookings are required alongside a B100 deposit. Dec 25. B550 for adults. B275 for kids. Gekko Garden Pub. 6pm.

Embrace the holiday spirit with this captivating celebration of sing-along classics. Join esteemed author, educator and singer-songwriter Jeremy Occhipinti at the hospitable Free Bird Café for an afternoon brimming with festive melodies and collective cheer. Singing and dancing along is highly encouraged as Jeremy leads an engaging chorus through timeless Christmas carols and original compositions that capture the essence of this magical season. But it’s not all just carols and cheer, there’s also a number of songs that harmonise English and Sanskrit-inspired songs to capture the imagination further. Performing internationally, be sure to catch him before he galavants off to other pastures. Dec 22. Free. Free Bird Cafe. 2pm-4pm.

From balloons to kites, it seems that there’s no shortage of floating spectacles in Chiang Mai this December. Head out to the sheep fields on the edge of Mae Rim and spend an afternoon admiring the wacky and wonderful kite wonderland, with over 30 kites of varying designs, sizes and themes being flown in the (hopefully) strong winter-season breeze. Take photos at their pop-up snowscape, be dwarfed by the model lanterns and fill your bellies with food trucks and market stalls. Live music and beer included. Dec 21-23. Free. Nern Noom Cafe. 4-11pm. 

Although not technically a Christmas event, it has all the hallmarks of a festive season festival, with beautiful flower arrangements, twinkling lights, carnival rides and games, fireworks, food, drinks and a range of shows, performances and competitions to get involved with. Running all the way through the New Year until Jan 5, there’s ample time to enjoy these very local festivities. The highlight must be the Musical Fountain Show that has fountains dancing to sound, light and color from 6-9.30pm every night. But if you prefer your dancers human, then the Light of Glory Performance at 8pm and 9pm are sure to dazzle! Nov 29-Jan 5. Free. Chiang Mai PAO Park. 8.30am-11pm. 

Flying all the way from the North Pole for this special event, kids can meet Santa in real life and enjoy a fun-filled day of Christmas crafts, games and entertainment. Kinder Home is a popular kids themed destination in Saraphi that is always hosting events and camps, as well as offering tutoring and after school activities, making them a perfect choice for parents looking for a stress-free Christmas party event. If you go, be sure to dress up in your best Christmas costume as there’s a competition for the best dressed! Dec 21. B600 per kid. Kinder Home. 10am-midday. 

On his whistle-stop tour of Chiang Mai, Santa is also paying a visit to Nic’s Restaurant & Playground, the night before Christmas no less! Bring your own gifts and let Santa hand them to your kids, or receive one small free gift from Santa with every visit. Photo opportunities are also possible in front of the Christmas Tree at 1pm and 7pm. For those who want to eat, there is a special festive menu but Nic's regular menu is still available in full. Other activities include cookie decorating and Nic’s famous playground facilities – all free of charge. Dec 24-25. Free. Nic’s Restaurant & Playground. 1pm-8pm.

The name says it all really! Head to Beaver Club for a bonanza Christmas eve and Christmas day event that is bound to keep the family entertained. Not only does it include a lavish Christmas dinner, there’s also tons of activities throughout the day including foam bubble guns, Christmas gift race, live music, sauna and ice bath, karaoke, movies, swimming pool games, crafts and other things to keep little hands busy. There’s even a homestay on-site if you prefer to stay, although be sure to let Santa know which chimney to come down. Dec 24-25. B499 for adults, B299 for kids. Bever Club X Chiang Mai. 1pm-9pm.

Take a more interactive, scientific approach to Chiristmas this year and send your kids to Zigi. This special workshop week for children is loosely themed around the festive season, perfect for kids who prefer to make gifts rather than buy them with daddy’s money. Workshops include soap making, decorative candle creation, terrarium crafting, Hanukkah crafting and fabric bag printing. Workshops run from 11am-1pm and 4pm-6pm and advance booking is required. Dec 23-26. Various prices. Zigi Kids Club. 11am-6pm. 

Build sweet memories and let your kids make their very own gingerbread house at The Haven. This playground activity center in the heart of the city is a perfect stopover for a busy Christmas day, packed with activities, festive treats and take-home sugary masterpieces! Registration is required to ensure there’s enough gingerbread resources to go around. Dec 21-22. B550 per kid. The Haven Playground. 10am and 2pm.